Uganda Primate Safari with Kate Humble and Paul Joynson-Hicks
“I have worked with gorillas in safari parks and zoos for 25 years, but to see them in the wild… nothing prepares you for it. To see them in Uganda, justifiably famous for being one of the first places to establish truly sustainable, gold standard gorilla tourism – this is a true privilege.” Kate Humble.
- 8 Nights
- June – June
- Uganda
- £11,800
- Luxury
Trip Overview
From the forests of Kibale to the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the steep ridges of Bwindi, this nine-day journey through Uganda is designed around the country’s most remarkable wildlife encounters — and led by two people who know how to bring them to life: broadcaster and writer Kate Humble and wildlife photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks.
Following the success of their safari last year, we are delighted they are taking another safari for us in 2026. This very special safari is limited to six participants and starts on the 14th June finishing on the 22nd June 2026.
The highlight is time with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. As Kate related on her last visit ‘only when you’ve trekked up through a forest, with the caution and decorum necessary, are you immersed in their terrain. You suddenly understand their habitat that little bit more. Only when you’re in close proximity – never less than 10 metres away and for never more than an hour – do you suddenly feel that deep sense of kinship, of a deep rooted genetic connection between you and this magnificent primate’.
Alongside the gorillas, there are chimpanzees in Kibale, elephant and hippo along the Kazinga Channel, and a rich variety of birds and smaller primates. Paul’s passion for photography and storytelling adds another dimension, whether you’re looking to sharpen your camera skills or simply learn to see the wild from a different perspective. Evenings are a chance to reflect together, swapping stories and impressions as the forest sounds build around you.
What makes this trip so memorable is not just the encounters, but the way they unfold: with time, with respect, and with the guiding voices of two people who have spent their lives exploring the bond between humans, wildlife, and wilderness.
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Hotel No. 5, Entebbe
Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, just north of the equator and a short drive from Uganda’s capital, Entebbe is the natural starting point for most journeys here. Its leafy avenues, lakeside breezes and relaxed pace make it more than just a convenient stopover — though for many, a night here at the start or end of a safari is essential. There’s time to unwind, adjust to the slower rhythms, and, if you wish, explore some of the town’s local attractions before heading deeper into the country.
Tucked away in a leafy suburb of Entebbe, Hotel No. 5 offers a calm and discreet base either side of a Ugandan safari.
Learn MorePrimate Lodge, Kibale National Park
From Entebbe, the road leads west to the cool, forested plateau of Kibale National Park, one of the most beautiful and biologically rich tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Here, dense jungle is interwoven with grassland and swamp, providing a home for 13 species of primate — most famously chimpanzees — along with over 375 bird species and a remarkable diversity of mammals. Kibale’s location, adjoining Queen Elizabeth National Park, forms part of a vast wildlife corridor stretching across western Uganda, making it a natural progression on your journey.
Primate Lodge lies deep within Kibale National Park, one of the best places in Africa to see chimpanzees in the wild. The lodge’s location — right beside the park’s chimp-tracking trailhead — means guests can step straight from breakfast into the forest.
Learn MoreIshasha Wilderness Camp, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following the forest trails of Kibale, the landscape opens out into the wide savannahs, volcanic craters and shimmering waterways of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is one of Africa’s most biodiverse reserves, home to nearly 100 mammal species and over 600 bird species. A boat trip along the Kazinga Channel brings you close to vast pods of hippos, elephant herds at the water’s edge, and the striking, prehistoric profile of the shoebill stork. In the southern Ishasha sector, fig trees shelter the park’s famous tree-climbing lions — a rare and unforgettable sight.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp occupies a silent stretch on the banks of the Ntungwe River in the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ten spacious canvas tents are set with intent, offering river views and seclusion amid a landscape shaped by wildlife.
Learn MoreBuhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The journey south from Queen Elizabeth takes you into the lush, folded hills of Bwindi — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa’s most extraordinary forests. Here, montane and lowland vegetation merge into a dense tangle of vines, ferns and towering trees, creating the ideal habitat for roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Trekking through Bwindi is challenging, but the reward — an hour in the quiet company of these gentle giants — is among the most moving wildlife encounters on Earth. Beyond the gorillas, Bwindi harbours an exceptional diversity of birds, primates and other forest species, making it a fitting and unforgettable finale to your journey.
Set at the forest’s edge where gorilla treks begin, Buhoma Lodge occupies a quiet hillside with uninterrupted views over Bwindi’s dense greenery. Just steps from the trailhead, the lodge offers intuitive access to one of the world’s richest primate habitats — and no journey time lost between dawn and the forest.
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